New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, a conservative policy group with Christian leadership, and The Chiaroscuro Foundation, a group that lobbies against abortion, responded to Mylan Denerstein’s op-ed, in which she argued that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s bill would simply codify existing federal law. Cuomo has yet to release his bill, which he said is different than the Reproductive Health Act, which Democrats have pushed in recent years.

Jason McGuire, executive director of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, said in a statement he doubts Cuomo’s bill will be different than the Reproductive Health Act.

“Gov. Cuomo’s recent remarks represent an about-face from his statements concerning abortion at last month’s State of the State Address,” McGuire said. “During the State of the State, the Governor clearly expressed his support for the Reproductive Health Act, calling on the Legislature to ‘Enact the Reproductive Health Act, because it’s her body, her choice.’

“NYCF finds it difficult to believe that Gov. Cuomo’s abortion proposal will, in fact, be materially different from the Reproductive Health Act introduced by Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins,” he continued. “In any event, abortion expansion legislation — by any name — is abortion expansion legislation. And abortion expansion legislation means more abortion, which is the last thing New York needs.”

The Chiaroscuro Foundation released a statement, as well, accusing Cuomo of being “ignorant” and “out of touch” on the issue of abortion. In her op-ed, Denerstein said the “anti-choice” position is the one that should be considered “radical.”

“Even pro-choice New Yorkers have deeply mixed and nuanced feelings about abortion, especially on late term abortions,” the group said. “Governor Cuomo should be listening to this vast majority of New Yorkers who want sensible rules on abortion procedures, not the small group of activists who are trying to drive him to the extreme left of the Democratic Party.”